Disclaimer: I do not own Star Wars, just writing for fun.
Chapter Twenty-Eight: Scars
Being back on his ship was a strange feeling. But the first thing he did was allowed Elle to eat. She ate her dinner, real food this time, and then she healed herself with a bath. Not all of herself. She still had her barely fading scars on her body, but at least she was a little bit better than before. She cleaned all the dirt, and grime, and everything she endured on the planet. After she finished, a droid handed her a towel so she could dry herself off, and a nice warm robe. Space was cold after all. She was damn thankful it wasn't Hux this time.
However, by the time she returned to her quarters, she saw her clothes laid out for her on the freshly made bed, and her cousin standing, and staring out the big window that overlooked the entirety of space.
"Thought you had a meeting," she said.
"I did."
"And, how did it go?"
"Boolio's no longer with us," he replied, short and direct.
Elle licked her lips, eyes wide, though she tried to remain passive. She definitely knew what that meant and could already picture it in her mind, imagining what Kylo was truly capable of. She wasn't sure if she should feel bad for the poor guy or not. He did sign up for the First Order after all, well, some were volunteers, others were forced into it.
"Oh," she just said in return. "I…heard the rumors that there was a spy on our ship. Is that true?"
"Afraid so, my cousin," he said.
Elle gulped. Silence passed between them for a brief moment.
"Do you know what a Wayfinder is?"
Elle furrowed her brows, and became puzzled. "It's Sith legend isn't it?"
"So, my mother did teach you well," he observed.
Elle rolled her eyes. It was in the Jedi texts. It's not like it wasn't common knowledge to the Jedi or force-sensitive's out there.
He didn't move from his spot, nor did he turn to face her. She walked over to the shiny black divider that nestled in the corner by the drawer. She was thankful she could change behind that, given some privacy at least.
"What about it?" she asked, as she took her clothing set with her, draping it across her arm, and walked over towards the divider and started to change into her new outfit.
She placed the hanger on top of the divider's edge, and looked at the outfit curiously.
It was black, but very royal like. The fabric was made out of crushed velvet, and the sides of the dress were cut out oval shaped. The skirt had a bit of a flare and twirl to it when she ran her fingers along the fabric.
"Rey is on her way to find one. If she finds one, she'll know where Exegol is, and I cannot let that happen. I sense she's close. I've been trying to reach her. I believe she may be on the planet, Paasana. Any reason why she would be there?"
Elle chewed her bottom lip after she slipped her robe off and tossed it over the ledge of the divider. She took the dress off of the hangar and started to unbutton the back of it. It was delicately and beautifully buttoned down to the base of the back.
"Hmm. Not sure, but I could always check on the archives for you."
"Thank you," he said.
Once Elle had at least the dress halfway on and halfway buttoned, she couldn't get the rest, so she walked out and walked over towards him shyly.
"Um…" she stated. The dress clung and fit her like a glove. Tight long sleeves that covered her hand like a diamond shape. Open slit diamond like cuts that showed skin underneath her arm. She pulled her hair back so that he can help her finish button her up.
"Thanks," she whispered.
She felt him pull it tight and she winced slightly, sucking her stomach in. It was tight around her waist, but loose when she walked. At least she could walk in it. She just had to remind herself that.
"You know," he began, eyes catching the scars on her back. "If you'd told me who'd done this to you, I would've had them terminated."
Elle chewed her bottom lip, and blushed embarrassingly. "I…didn't want to bother you with your training. And, besides, your admirals are a piece of work. Nothing I couldn't handle."
A small smile appeared on his face, and turned her around when he was finished.
"Still. I wouldn't hesitate."
She felt her chest tighten. She couldn't help but wonder if Ben was still in there somewhere underneath the mask of Kylo Ren. He didn't wear it now. Right now, she couldn't help but see a slither of Ben here and there.
"I'll go find out about Passana for you."
"Thank you."
She nodded. She was about to pivot on her heel, but then she turned to face him. He looked at her questionably.
"By the way, you owe me a couple of ships," she said. "Three, to be exact."
"Three?" he asked.
"1, for blowing it up on Jakku, and 2 for blowing it up on the Raddus, and 3 for letting those little buggers on Exegol tear it up for scrap parts. So, yeah, three."
He chuckled lightly. "I'll see what I can do."
"Thank you," she said, and pivoted on her heel to head back to the archive room. He watched her and smiled a little. Little by little, day by day, she was getting back to her old self again. And she did
~*TROS*~
It didn't take long for Elle to find out anything about Passana. It was a desert planet, home to local villagers.
Kylo leaned over her shoulder with his hands on the desk, as he read the specs of the planet in front of him on the screen before his eyes.
"All right, so Passana. Desert planet," Elle read out loud. "It's located in the Middian System."
"What's the species?" he asked.
She scrolled down and clicked on a couple things until several listings popped up. She narrowed her eyes and started to read them.
"Homeworld to Aki-Aki."
"Are they important to the system?" he asked.
"I'd say so. Usually dust farmers, but they do hold festivals every forty-two years honoring the past and looking forward to the future. Their next festival is...now, actually. If we lightspeed now, we can make it there and be right on their tail."
"Good. Let's go."
"You're just going to storm there and hope you catch her?" she asked, turning around in her seat as he headed for the door. "Do you care who might've been on that planet and why?"
He paused, turning halfway in between the threshold. "Why?"
"Well..." she began, but he continued on.
"She's getting more and more dangerous. I was able to grab her necklace, Elle. The force was powerful between us. She doesn't know who she really is. I have to make her realize that."
Elle sighed.
"Plus, there's more."
"What?" she asked, almost hesitantly.
"That pilot of yours is with her. As well as the traitor."
Poe, her heart tightened at the thought of him. Again, she tried to remain stoic.
"I trust your feelings aren't clouded as they once were?" he asked and Elle shook her head.
"I have no feelings for that man," she said, like a robot.
"Good. Then we continue our mission."
"Do you know why they're going there?"
"I have a hunch," he said.
She sighed, and looked down. "Ochi's ship was buried there. As well as his remains. I doubt for spiritual reasons. Kylo."
"What?" he asked.
"Ochi is Jedi hunter."
"Was," he added.
"But there could be more of them. You have to be careful."
"I just have to find that Wayfinder before she does, and we'll be all right," he said. "I promise."
She tightened her grim smile, watching him walk out of her archive's room.
~*TROS*~
A/n: So, I wanted her to be with the others in TROS, but she'll be with them soon! Thank you all for the recent reads, reviews, follows, favorites! They're loved and welcomed! More updates soon!
